February 20th: Champions League - Round of 16, First leg:

AC Milan 2 - 0 Barcelona

Scorers:

57’ Boateng
81’ Muntari

Boateng celebrates Muntari’s goal. The first proved he has reached his best shape, the latter saved his bad game with a great goal.

AC Milan men played a perfect game, about an year later than the 4-0 victory against Arsenal.

April, 3 2012 - Second leg of Champions League quarter-final (3-1 on aggregate):

11’ Messi (PK) (B)
33’ Nocerino (M)
41’ Messi (PK) (B)
53’ Iniesta (B)

Why do such a stellar team that could win easily everything they compete for, get that kind of helps?

An year ago Mourinho had asked: “Why?” (Here you can find his post-game press conference). that was a genuine question and he looked for an answer.
His talked also about powers of people or organizations which could affect referees’ decision, but I didn’t share this latter argument, I’d like to think, well, I do think that no one of this insinuations is based, and Barça always find really bad referees that helps them, but indeed, we have another case to add to Mourinho list of Champions League awful refereeing.

Credit to a Blaugrana team that in two legs showed (if that was needed) to be stronger and more on shape than Ac Milan.
On the other hand Rossoneri showed to be not so far to this the Catalan team (like Ambrosini said after the match) and probably once again -after group stage games- proved that Barça isn’t an extraterrestrial team but they are beatable.

Allegri gave confidence to Antonini that had played his best game of his career during the first leg.
His job during that game confirmed my thoughts, though: that one was only a lucky game, he hasn’t transformed, he is just a good second choice for the team like Ac Milan aspire to be!
He had gave a present to Leo Messi that he could not decline, so first penalty was fairly conceded and Barça went ahead for the first time.

Barcelona monologue was sometimes interrupted by Rossoneri’s attacking phases, rarely to be exact, but entertaining considering that Barça suffered Ac Milan pressure.

Nocerino celebrates his goal with attacking teammates.

During one of that plays Nocerino had scored his goal and Ac Milan dream has been materialized until the referee gave the second penalty kick.
Messi scored his second goal, the game over one.

Yes, if you bring Barça outside Spain, Messi scores only on penalties, and that is stange considering how La Liga is a tough ligue.. oh, wait: are you saying that there are 24 points between second and third team? Oh, ok, well but you should consider that he leads Argentina… uhm, not a good argument again? ok…
Jokes aside, it’s clear that Messi is a true great champion, he deserves all what he won and what he will win, but I agree with Ibrahimovic when he says that in a different championship Messi would have less high numbers for his statistics.

It’s true that the second given penalty was a not a missed call.
Nesta’s jerk is a foul into the box, but, in my opinion, if the referee was so meticulous to notice that and consider that was clearly a foul to be whistled immediately without warning the player before, he would have whisteled a penalty also when two Ac Milan players where pull down into Barcelona box with fouls! And a tackle is a worse foul than a jerk!

Anyway without this terrible refereeing, Messi or his teammates would have found the way to score goals are neded to go fairly through.

Here you can find the first leg review, and belw the higlights of the last night match.

March, 28 2012 - First leg of Champions League quarter-final:

The best picture that can represent the match: respect and fair play between two World class teams.

Yesterday night an half of Rossoneri’s dream has been realized.
Ac Milan have reached what probably could be the possible best result, thanks to a very strong defence and some errors of Guardiola’s men, whom, of course, blame the pitch condition.
In less than a week Allegri has to build a team able to take advantage of the two possible configurations of results which allow Rossoneri to go through: Barça must win to reach semifinal match.
It’s so important to avoid another nil - nil score that would mean extra time, so too much energy wasted to the detriment of the championship.